Nandina domestica &#39;Jaytee&#39;

ABSTRACT

‘Jaytee’, a new and distinct variety of Nandina domestica, which exhibits new, improved, and superior characteristics not known to exist in other varieties of Nandina domestica. These characteristics include rapid, aggressive growth, abundant fruit and flowers, and unique leaf coloration. This plant has a rhizomatous growth habit, that results in a compact, dense plant with no tendency to legginess.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] none

STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTION MADE UNDER FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

[0002] none

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] (1) Field of Invention

[0004] The present invention relates to the discovery and asexual reproduction of a new and distinct cultivar of Nandina domestica, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Jaytee.’

[0005] (2) Description of relevant prior art including information disclosed under 37 CFR 1.971.99.

[0006] This new variety was discovered in a cultivated bed of Nandina domestica seedling plants that were growing at Rushing Nursery, Inc. in Semmes, Alabama. The new variety of Nandina domestica has been named ‘Jaytee.’ ‘Jaytee’ berries more abundantly and has a denser habit and is more rhizomatous than ‘Harbour Dwarf.’ ‘Jaytee’ also exhibits leaf colors that have a broader color spectrum than ‘Harbour Dwarf.’

[0007] Both tissue culture and stem propagation have demonstrated that this new Nandina is stable in maintaining its unique characteristics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The ‘Jaytee’ variety has been observed and extensively tested in different growing situations for five years. Its recognizable characteristics, which distinguish it from other known Nandina cultivars are:

[0009] Compact, dense form, spreading by rhizomes, with a mature height of 18-22″

[0010] Aggressive, vigorous growth

[0011] Has proven adaptable to harsh environmental conditions

[0012] Abundant flowers and fruit at a relative early age of 1½ years

[0013] Exhibits unique leaf coloration.

[0014] New growth is dark, reddish brown

[0015] Intermediate growth is light green with reddish hues

[0016] Mature winter foliage is purple with pinkish hues and dark green with yellow tint

[0017] Leaves are large and appear thick and heavily textured

[0018] Is sun and shade tolerant maintaining its proportions equally well in both conditions

[0019] Versatile uses are: groundcover, mass plantings, and individual specimens

[0020] Has shown no susceptibility to mosaic virus

[0021] Has survived −6 degrees in Zone 6. Winter hardiness testing is being continued.

[0022] Has proved to be adaptable to extreme landscape conditions, where ‘Harbour Dwarf’ would have difficulty in becoming established. Comparison—‘Jaytee’ and ‘Harbour Dwarf’ Applicant (‘JayTee’) Harbour Dwarf Height 18-22″ 27-36″ (taller in heavy shade) Width 30-36″ 24″ Leaf Length 30-34 mm 28-30 mm Leaf Width 18-20 mm 16-18 mm Leaflet Length 5.5-7 mm 5-6 mm Leaflet Width 2.5-3 mm 1.5-2 mm Foliage Opposite, bipinnate, Opposite, bi-tripinnate, compound evergreen compound evergreen New Foliage Dark, reddish brown Light green with pinkish Color (RHS 174A) hues (RHS 143A) Intermediate Light green with reddish Light yellowish-green Foliage Color hues (RHS 177A) (RHS 144A) Mature Foliage Dark green (RHS 136A) Dark green (RHS 139A) Color Winter Foliage Purple with pinkish hues Orange to bronzy red to Color (RHS N187A) and Dark reddish purple (RHS 173) greenish with yellow tint (RHS 147A) Foliage Texture leathery in appearance somewhat leathery in appearance Rachis Color Reddish-purple (RHS 71A) Brownish-orange (RHS 176B) Flowers Numerous perfect flowers Occasionally flowers with that are slightly pink in perfect flowers that are bud, turning white with slightly pink in bud, turning yellow antlers. Flowers white with yellow antlers. develop in May-June. Fruit Abundant clusters of red Few small red berries, berries (1/4″ in diameter). sparingly produced. Typically larger than those of ‘Harbour Dwarf.’ Growth Habit Dense, dwarf, compact Dwarf form, stiff wide- mounding form. spreading crown, becoming Aggressive, vigorous, more graceful in spreading by rhizomes. appearance with age. Maintains fullness with no Tendency towards legginess tendancy toward legginess. in shade. Disease no mosaic virus Susceptible to mosaic susceptibility to date virus

[0023] Comparison—‘Jaytee’ and other Nandina cultivars Mature Size Other Characteristics Jaytee 18-22″ × 30-36″ as previously described Heavenly 6-8′ H perennating by rhizomes, prone to Bamboo legginess, generally fruits abundantly Compacta 4-6′ H perennating by rhizomes, fruiting capability dependent on selection Moonbay 3-3½′ H not rhizomatous, flowering sparse to nil Gulf Stream 3-3½′ H not rhizomatous, flowering sparse to nil Lowboy 5′ H × 3.5′ W typical species leaf coloration, moderately rhizomatous, good fruit set

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024]FIG. 1-A is a color photograph of the original plant ‘Jaytee’ growing in a landscape setting. The original plant has never been pruned and is 18″ in height at 6 years of age.

[0025]FIG. 1-B is a photograph of the new variety growing in a 20 gallon container. This photo shows how rhizomatous this plant is.

[0026]FIG. 2-A is a side by side comparison of the new variety, shown on the right, with a ‘Harbour Dwarf’ Nandina, shown on the left. Both plants are in a 3 gallon container at approximately 16 months of age.

[0027]FIG. 2-B represents the same plants as FIG. 2-A, but as a top view. ‘Jaytee’ on the right and ‘Harbour Dwarf’ on the left.

[0028]FIG. 3-A is a side by side comparison of the new variety's leaf color progression. From left to right are new growth, intermediate growth (2), and mature growth.

[0029]FIG. 3-B is a photograph of the new variety in a landscape setting. This photo shows the plants unique leaf color in the summer.

[0030]FIG. 4-A is a photograph of the new variety's fruit.

[0031]FIG. 4-B is a photograph of the new variety's leathery leaf texture. It also shows the reddish-brown new growth.

[0032]FIG. 5-A is a photograph showing the new variety's flower buds.

[0033]FIG. 5-B is a photograph of the new variety's mature winter color.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

[0034] Name: Nandina domestica ‘Jaytee.’

[0035] Parentage: A chance seedling in a population of Nandina domestica

[0036] Size: Ultimate mature size at 24-36 months is 18-22″ height × 30-36″ width.

[0037] Growth Habit: Dwarf, dense, compact mounding form. Aggressive and vigorous in growth. Rhizomatous spreading habit.

[0038] Foliage:

[0039]Arrangement.—Opposite, bipinnately compound, evergreen

[0040]Leaflet base.—Obtuse

[0041]Leaflet tips.—Acuminte

[0042]Leaflet shape.—Ovate-Lanceolate

[0043]Leaflet margin.—Entire

[0044]Leaflet length.—5.5-7 mm

[0045]Leaflet width.—2.5-3 mm

[0046]Leaf length.—30-34 mm

[0047]Leaf width.—18-20 mm

[0048]Stem form.—Upright

[0049]Stem texture.—Smooth, longitudinally ridged

[0050]Leaflet texture.—Leathery appearance

[0051]Leaflet color.—Young leaflets are closest to RHS 1 74A-dark brownish red. Intermediate leaflets are closest to RHS 177A-very light green with reddish hues. Medium leaflets are closest to RHS 139A-medium green. Mature leaflets are closest to RHS 136A-dark green. Winter color is RHS-N187A-purple with pinkish hues and RHS 147A-dark greenish with yellow tint.

[0052] Flowers: Numerous perfect flowers that are slightly pink in bud, turning white with yellow antlers. Panicle formation of flowers. Panicles are 12-18 mm long. Flowers appear at 1½ years of age. Creamy White-RHS 155A.

[0053] Natural Flowering Season: May-June

[0054] Fruit: Abundant clusters of red berries, ca. 1/4″ diameter, two-seeded

[0055] Climatic Range: This plant has survived winter temperatures as low as −6 degrees F. in Shrewsbury, Pa. (Zone 6).

[0056] Disease Resistance: Has shown no susceptibility to mosaic virus 

1. The present plant is readily distinguishable from other Nandina cultivars as the Nandina described herein does not have the same characteristics as other Nandina in coloring, growth habit, or fruit bearing. 